The Department of Buildings (DOB) inspects construction sites when they receive a complaint. DOB also has a program to inspect major construction sites on a weekly basis for compliance with public safety regulations. Major construction sites are buildings that are more than 15 stories, over 200 feet in height or more 100,000 square feet in area, or any other buildings designated by DOB. The Department’s Building Enforcement Safety Team, (BEST Squad), checks for more than 85 onsite safety features such as safety netting, placement of cranes and protection of adjacent property. Inspectors are empowered to issue violations, summonses and stop work orders for conditions contrary to the Building Code or Zoning Resolution.
3. NYC Building Code Design Requirements for Temporary Equipment & Constructions:
§27-1011(b): Temporary equipment and constructions shall be designed so that the allowable stress values prescribed in subchapter 10 are not exceeded.
§27-594: Provides load combinations which include dead, live, wind, and snow.
- Loads subscribed in subchapter 9 must be used for design, including wind
- Uplift forces from wind must be considered in design calculations
- Snow and ice loads must be included in design calculations during winter months
- Tieback design must include wind factors created when netting is used, as wind load can be significantly increased with netting and screens
- Note: Wind forces are reversible and can impose a "suction" load away from the structure as well as towards the structure
§27-591: Minimum factor of safety for overturning and sliding is 1.5.
- Free-standing scaffolds and sidewalk sheds must meet code requirements for overturning and sliding
§27-1015: Design shall be executed by or under the supervision of a licensed engineer or an architect who shall sign and seal the drawings and specifications.
- If the scaffold is supported on a sidewalk shed or roof structure, you must verify that the base
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